Terming as unfortunate regression in some sectors of Indian science due to red tape and political interference, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday asked scientists to engage with government to liberate it from shackles of bureaucratism and in-house favouritism.

Holding that time has come to give a new boost to science and technology, he asked Indian scientists working abroad to return to the country to convert the brain drain to brain gain. Singh announced that the government was considering revision of the value of doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships as well as formulation of schemes that would cover all research scholars with some funding support.